Nicole Collins

I’m walking through Covent Garden on a Wednesday afternoon with Mette Hallman, 23, and Martta Holmberg, 22, both decked out in full Taylor Swift uniform: shirts, bags, pins, and (of course) hand-beaded friendship bracelets. The girls have just hopped off a flight from their home country of Finland, but aren’t interested in viewing any London sights. Instead, they’re fixed to their phones, bashing their fingers across the screens as if their lives depend on it. After 30 minutes, probably longer, Martta lets out a cry: she’s finally secured tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert on Thursday.   Photograph: Orlando Gili From the intensity of their reaction, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a once-in-a-lifetime gig – but they’d already been to the Eras Tour in Stockholm (or ‘Swiftholm’, as they refer to it), and were going again on Monday. Yet the girls are so desperate to see their favourite performer again, they’re spending £1,200 each on standing tickets that should have been £227 tops, in addition to the bill for flights, hotels and merchandise.  They’re not the only ones going to extreme lengths to dedicate themselves to a fandom: 24-year-old Paula went to at least 32 Shawn Mendes shows in 2019 and quit her job so she could see Harry Styles 27 times last year. Being part of a fandom is an exhausting job: there are rules to follow, lore you need to know and criteria you must meet. Here, we find out how (and why) they do it. Reaping rewards Dr Claire Brash, a 31-year-o

Sheffield has been having its moment for a while now. Last year, we even crowned it the second best city break spot in Europe. This is a mighty cool city, and the world has (finally) woken up to it.  Not only is Sheffield one of the UK’s greenest cities, it’s got a thriving arts, culture and food scene to match. Pair that with its cracking bars, clubs and general nightlife scene, and you’ve got yourself a seriously packed-full weekend away (or a new home altogether, we guess). From festivals to animal parks, here are the best things to do in Sheffield right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in Sheffield📍 The best things to do in Leeds☀️ The best things to do in the UK his guide was recently updated by Nicole Collins, a writer based in Sheffield. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The Yorkshire city of Sheffield is best known for its huge university, charming accent and winning array of fun things to do. However, the city certainly packs a punch when it comes to its prosperous food scene. An array of independent restaurants, bars and cafés make Sheffield a super exciting place to eat.  The student-centric city boasts a diverse range of eateries that cater to pretty much all budgets and occasions. So whether you’re more into the idea of street food, a sourdough bakery or a even fine-dining establishment set in a shipping container (yes, you read that right), our pick of the best rated restaurants in Sheffield has you covered. RECOMMENDED:🌳The best things to do in Sheffield🛍️The best things to do in Leeds🌤️The best things to do in the UK⛰️The most beautiful national parks in the UK This guide was recently updated by Nicole Collins, a writer based in Sheffield. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The Royal Horseguards is a great choice if you fancy a stay by the Thames. Around the corner from the bustle of the Strand, it is mere minutes away from London’s tourist-y core. The impressive building boasts Victorian towers and gothic elegance which will transport you back to 1884, when the hotel opened. Its location also promises some of the best views London has to offer – take your pick from the Thames, Embankment or Westminster.  The hotel’s funky features make it feel particularly unique: from the ever-perky flowers to the portraits of army generals and fancy aristocrats splattered across the walls, to the red floral curtains, the flashy trimmings curate a contemporary feel in a historical space. Take the miniature horse-head statue resting on a table: while on its own, it might feel slightly bizarre, it works as a great touch that compliments the room’s luxurious, regal design.   When it comes to food options, guests of The Royal Horseguards are spoilt for choice, with great eateries in every direction and a variety of choices inside the hotel itself. For something more tranquil and private, during the warmer months you can grab dinner at the outdoor garden restaurant, The Terrace. Picture an al-fresco dining experience in the sun, away from all the noise (plus, the smoked chicken and ham hock terrine is to die for). Neighbourhood There is loads to do near Embankment: a 10-minute walk in any direction will offer activities, shopping opportunities and places to eat. As

The Clermont Victoria oozes decadence from the moment you step foot through the Grade II-listed door. The hotel recently had a glamorous makeover, and from the looks of it, it appears to be money well spent. Set in a prime location (right next door to Victoria Station), it’s easy to hop on the tube and explore central London. That said, with the amount on offer in the surrounding area, you may not feel the need. The staff were one of the highlights of the experience – everyone was so polite and friendly, helping you to feel right at home. That, alongside the hotel’s innate beauty, made what would’ve been a mundane, embarrassingly eventless Thursday night extremely enjoyable. Rooms are cosy and spacious, yet still feel slick and modern thanks to the decorative attention to detail. The hallways are lined with chandeliers, stained-glass windows and decorative panels – every square inch is designed to contribute to the impressive space. The SOAK is the hotel’s restaurant and it combines British and Asian cuisine to create a fun dining experience. You can mix and match from the restaurant’s menu, which features a collab with Ping Pong, the popular Cantonese chain. Our top tip? Pair the lychee martini with the chicken gyozas. Perfection. Neighbourhood The Clermont Victoria is an official partner of the Apollo Theatre, currently home to the iconic musical Wicked. Not only is the theatre a three-minute walk from the hotel, but they also offer a Wicked-themed afternoon tea to indulge

Fans of Ted Lasso, your day is about to get a lot better. An official merchandise shop for the hit TV series has opened its doors in southwest London – specifically in Richmond, the heart of the Lasso universe.  On Paved Court, just walking distance from The Prince Head’s pub, (or as Ted Lasso die-hards would know it, the Crown & Anchor) fans of the show can get their hands on official jerseys, scarves and hats embellished with the iconic AFC Richmond logo.  The shop, which spans over 500 square feet across two floors and is the UK’s first shopping destination for official Ted Lasso merchandise, opened last week and has already gotten rave reviews from visitors/fans describing the store as a ‘must see’, with ‘great quality’ products.  there’s a ted lasso store in richmond and we went insane @pavelschekovv pic.twitter.com/1qlwMeEoy0 — jake (@koteluvr) June 23, 2024 The Apple TV+ series, which features an impressive pool of British talent including Hannah Waddingham, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein and Juno Temple, concluded its third season in March last year. Rumblings of a fourth season have been in the air, with fans hopeful that Jason Sudeikis’ coach Ted will grace the small screen again. Over three seasons, the show has picked up 11 Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Photograph: JNHP Retail Limited and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products The Official TED LASSO Store R